Dear Patient,
Surgery was discussed during your visit today with Dr. O’Grady. We understand that this can be an overwhelming and confusing time for many people. We have compiled this packet of information to help make this a seamless process and to answer any questions that you may have.
Please read the information and keep it on hand, as it contains important phone numbers and details regarding your upcoming surgery. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have so please feel free to contact us at any time.
Appointments to Remember
- Your surgery has been scheduled at The Andrews Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center or Gulf Breeze Hospital
- Your pre-operative consult with Dr. O’Grady or Chris Key, PA-C is scheduled for ______________________
- A pre-operative appointment, including lab work and an anesthesia consult, may be necessary at Gulf Breeze Baptist Hospital or Andrews Institute ASC, in addition to the pre-op consult with our office. These facilities will contact you if need be.
- If you are having Total Shoulder Arthroplasty, you may have a CT Scan at Touchstone Imaging or Andrews Institute before your surgery.
- If you are having Total Knee Arthroplasty, you may have a Visionaire MRI at Touchstone Imaging or Andrews Institute before your surgery.
If necessary, you will be contacted by the above facility to schedule your scan. It must be completed at least 4 weeks prior to surgery. If you are having one of the above listed procedures, please contact our office if you do not hear from them within the necessary time frame. Below are the addresses and phone numbers for these facilities.
Touchstone Imaging is located at 2996 North Davis Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32503. Phone number is (850) 475-9040.
Andrews Institute imaging is located at 1040 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561. It is on the first floor within the Physical Therapy suite of our main campus in Gulf Breeze. Phone number is (850) 916-8770.
You will not be driving home after your surgery. It is required by Dr. O’Grady and the facility that you have a companion who can drive you home and someone who can stay with you the night of your surgery.
Any dietary/herbal supplements, blood thinners and NSAIDS should be stopped 7 to 10 days prior to surgery. Consult your primary care physician about stopping any of the medicines you have been prescribed for other medical conditions.
DISCHARGE AND POST OPERATIVE ORDERS
You will go home with a blue folder after surgery. This folder will contain discharge instructions, a prescription for pain medication, a prescription for physical therapy, and a scheduled follow up appointment. Please contact our office ASAP if you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment following surgery. Below are further details on the contents of your blue folder and other helpful information.
Pain Medication: You will be given a prescription for pain medications and any other medications that are indicated by Dr. O’Grady. We are able to refill pain medication up to 14 days after surgery. After this 14-day window, you will need to contact your Primary Care Physician or Pain Management for a refill on any narcotic pain medication due to Florida law. We strongly advise patients to fill their prescriptions in the state of Florida, as many states will not honor out of state prescriptions.
Below are a few of the local pharmacies:
- CVS – 225 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 - (850) 934-0030
- Publix – 852 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 - (850) 932-0030
- Walgreens – 1459 Tiger Park Ln, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 - (850) 916-1955
Driving: You can begin driving once you are completely off pain medications and once you have been given the OK by the physician. We recommend you start in a parking lot to make sure you are able to have complete control of the vehicle before driving on the street.
Bathing: The surgical incision should be kept dry until your follow-up appointment in approximately 2 weeks. You may sponge bathe, use water proof band-aids, or place a sealed plastic bag over the extremity to keep the surgical site dry.
Physical Therapy: a prescription for physical therapy to be started within the first 3-5 days after surgery unless otherwise noted. (You are responsible for taking your physical therapy prescription to your first appointment)
Dressings: Your dressings create a sterile field over your incision(s). You will be instructed on how and when to change the dressings before you are discharged home.
BILLING QUESTIONS
As a courtesy to our patients, we will contact your insurance company regarding your upcoming surgery to see if prior authorization is required. In order to do this, we need your correct and current information. Any authorization required for surgery will be obtained by our staff.
Physician and facility billing staff will contact you for any amount due prior or on the day of surgery.
Should there be any questions or problems concerning your insurance, our office will contact you.
Insurance carriers often have different requirements for different policies. We recommend that you contact your carrier since they may need additional information from you. They should be able to inform you of the following information, which you may find helpful.
- Verification of your benefits for surgery (80%, 90%, 100% etc.)
- Surgical copayment
- Deductible (the amount and if any of the amount has been met for your current year)
- Answer any questions you may have regarding the payment of your upcoming surgery.
Please note that you will be billed separately for the following services (if they apply to you and your surgery): Dr. O’Grady, the assistant surgeon, the facility, the anesthesiologist, laboratory, physical therapy, and home health care
You are responsible for understanding your insurance policy. It is a contract between you and your insurance company. We are not responsible for lack of coverage or failure to pay by your insurance company. You are expected to pay your bill regardless of the insurance company’s coverage.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Please be aware when calling our office that we may be in clinic seeing patients or in surgery and may not be able to answer your call immediately. We make every effort to get back to you as soon as possible. If you reach our voicemail, please leave your name and number along with a brief message and we will return your call. Please be aware we make every effort to return your call in a timely manner, but it may be after 5:00 PM. If it is truly urgent, please call the main number and explain your situation. If you have a medical emergency, please dial 911.
Dr. O’Grady’s Office:
Main Office/Clinic Line - (850) 916-3700
Chris Key, Physician Assistant - (850) 916-3715
Alan Bowen (Clinic Coordinator) - (850) 916-3715
Rebecca Owens (Clinical Assistant) - (850) 916-8437
Alisha Caraway (Appointment Coordinator) - (850) 916-3731
Fax - (850) 916-8745
Andrews Institute Surgery Center (AISC)
Main Line - (850) 916-8500
Questions About Pain Pumps:
- Surgery Center - (850) 916-8505
- Dr. Hickman - (850) 346-4863
Gulf Breeze Hospital
Main Line - (850) 934-2000
Surgery Department - (850) 934-2080
NO SHOW/CANCELLATION POLICY
We understand that situations arise in which you must cancel your appointment. It is therefore requested that if you must cancel your appointment you provide more than 24 hours notice. This will enable for another person who is waiting for an appointment to be scheduled in that appointment slot. With cancellations made less than 24 hours notice, we are unable to offer that slot to other people.
Procedure cancellations require two weeks from the date of surgery advance notice. Cancellations without notification they may be subject to a $500.00 cancellation fee.
Patients who do not show up for their appointment without a call to cancel an office appointment or procedure appointment will be considered as NO SHOW. Patients who No-Show two (2) or more times in a 12 month period, may be dismissed from the practice thus they will be denied any future appointments. Patients may also be subject $500.00 procedure No Show fee.
The Cancellation and No Show fees are the sole responsibility of the patient and must be paid in full before the patient’s next appointment.
We understand that Special, unavoidable circumstances may cause you to cancel within 24 hours. Fees in this instance may be waived but only with management approval.
Our practice firmly believes that good physician/patient relationship is based upon understanding and good communication. Questions about cancellation and no show fees should be directed to our office at (850) 916-3715.